Turo Turo

This place is sort of hidden next to the plaza by Glen Innes train station. Its not on the street or parking side, you have to walk around the post office.
Have to make a disclaimer that I am no expert in Filipino food but I’ve had a fair share of south East Asian foods.
I know Filipino food is typically sweet but also salty. Oh my god, I really got to experience the two extremes of the taste spectrum. I have to say I am not a big fan of the adobo, I had to dilute with a few glasses of water. I do like the garlic rice serve with their short orders. it’s a nice touch for some extra flavor!
I guess at least dessert can never be too sweet. I love their halo-​halo. It has a little taste of all their dessert served on shaved ice. Perfect for a hot summer afternoon.
The staff here is generally friendly but lay back. Food came within reasonable time frame.
Maybe I have to try out the fried stuff next time or just go with the dessert.

Of course I’m partial to Filipino food when looking to try a new restaurant. But even for those who are not familiar with the culinary fare of the Philippines, this is a must-​try restaurant. I’d wholeheartedly vote for the Crispy Pata as their best dish. This is simply deep fried pork hock that comes with a special dipping sauce. I used to have this at least once a month back in Manila, so to say that I have pretty good experience with it would be an understatement. And let me tell you, the Crispy Pata at Turo Turo is one of the best I’ve tried. The meat is so tender and flavorful but the skin is thin and crispy. It’s perfect with a bottle of ice cold beer.
Don’t miss out on the soup (Bulalo), Lumpiang Shanghai and their other dishes. For dessert, get the Biko (rice cake). Everything is decently priced — between $ 15 to $ 30 per meal, some of them big enough to share. This is definitely Filipino food done well.

I randomly found a review for this place while looking for a place to eat. The restaurant is tricky to find is you are coming by car. Just look for the post office in the parking lot, and Turo Turo is right behind it. I called in to do a pick up order of Lumpiang Shanghai (crispy fried spring rolls), pork and prawn Pancit, and Ginataang manok (chicken in coconut sauce). The spring rolls were very tasty. However I wasn’t a fan of the pork flavor in the pancit, maybe I like my pancit with chicken but the taste of the pork was very stale?(i don’t know what would be a good way to describe it, i just didn’t like it).The ginataang manok was OK however it wasn’t boneless chicken, we had chicken wings and dark meat. I feel like the menu should specify this.
I have had Filipino food before in the US, both home cooked and in restaurants. The flavors were different so maybe I’m just not use to the Kiwi version.

I had never tried Filipino food before, but after hearing about dishes like ‘Adobo’ and ‘Crispy Pata’ from my Filipino friend on the bus, I knew I just had to try this cuisine out!
I must admit, it took me quite a while to visit Turo Turo. I was nervous about trying a new cuisine and worried that I would not like the food. However, I am so glad I have finally been. A friend and I visited on a quiet Sunday evening for dinner and to try their intriguing desserts.
Turo Turo is located in the Glen Innes shops — there is plenty of parking and the train station is just across the road. Turo Turo also opens out onto the main square, so it would be a perfect place to eat on a balmy night, while watching the kids play outside.
Upon arrival, we first noticed the size of the restaurant — small compared to usual places I eat at, the simple décor and the basic set up of tables. Also, when we walked in, no one there to greet us. Instead, I mistook a customer for one of the staff members! So embarrassing! However, when the waitress finally came out to help us, she was very friendly and sweet.
From the menu, we ordered the ‘Lomi’ (noodles with pork or chicken and vegetables in a thick savoury soup), the ‘Siomai’ (steamed pork dumplings) and of course, highly recommended by my Filipino friend, the ‘Adobo’ (we chose pork and it is cooked in vinegar and soy sauce). The Adobo also came with rice.
Everything was great. The dumplings flavoursome, the noodles and broth tasty and the Adobo was just how I imagined it. The pork was cooked perfectly and it was unlike anything I have ever tasted before — which is a good thing!
We also ordered dessert. I had been recommended the ‘Sans Rival’ (a layered dessert of meringue wafer, butter cream, and crushed cashews), but unfortunately they had run out! Very disappointed! Next option was the ‘Leche Flan’ (a caramel custard dessert). OMG it was so sweet and delicious — highly recommend! My friend ordered the ‘Ube Ice Cream’ (homemade ice cream made out of purple yams). We couldn’t believe it when we read it on the menu. Purple yams!!! This too was delicious and a beautiful purple ice cream shade, which I have never seen before!
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Turo Turo. The food is delicious and I am so glad I finally decided to give Filipino food a try. If you are ever in the area, I recommend you try some Adobo or one of their funky desserts for something different and hey, it might even become your new favourite cuisine!